Table for ironing machines and the like



Oct. 3, 1933. N. H. wATTs TABLE FOR IRONING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 3, 1932 2v Sheets-Sheet 2 Invengo; Noble HWGEES, b5 m His Attorneg.

reenter ed'. a, rese l rn snr ernten Noble H. Watts, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to General Electric Company, a corporation or New York Application 'Aug-ost s, 1932. serial No. tram 2 Claims.

rlhe present invention relates to tables and especially to tables for use with domestic power ironing machines and the like. The object of 'the invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of table which is adapted when in the unfolded position to form a supporting table of height suitable to support an ironing machine or the like so that the user may operate it when seated on a chair, and when in the folded position to form an enclosure or housing for an ironing machine or the like and at the same time provide a table of suitable height with a at top.

For the consideration of what I believe to be Iig novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following specification and the claims appended thereto. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view 'of a table embodying my invention, the table 2o being folded up and the cover being partly broken away to show details of construction; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table with the top removed; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the table in the unfolded position; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the table in folded position and with the top in place, and Fig. 5 is a detail sectionalview on a larger scale of certain of the parts.

Referring to drawings, the table comprises a iso base 1 which is adapted' to support an ironing machine or the like. Base 1 is supported on four legs 2, the legs being angular in section and attached to the base by bolts 3 or other suitable 4means. The base'is provided with a raised portion 4.at its front side to provide space beneath the base for the knees of the operator.I By this arrangement,when the operator is seated at the table with the knees beneath the base, the forward portion of the base forms a. 18p board for support of material being moved, the material being held behind the raised portion 4. In other words, the structure embodies a lap board which is integral with and forms a part of the table. It is shown also as being provided with recesses 5' forming pocketsin which pins,

buttons or the like may be placed. Extending transversely to the table, between the legs 2, are U-shaped braces 6 which support the central portion of the base through the intermediary -56 of an angle iron 7` which extends longitudinally across the table/directly beneath the base.

Hinged to the base are two end walls 8 and 9 and a rear wall 10. The arrangement of the hinges is shown particularly at 11 in Figs. 3 55., and 5, the arrangement being such that the end (or. 31a-2) walls and rear wall stand within the connes of the base when in the vertical position as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. That is to say, when the walls are in vertical position, they are inset from the outer edge of the base. The end walls 8 te and 9 and rear wall 10 are adapted to be moved from the vertical positions shown in Fig. 2 to the horizontal positions shown in Fig. 3 wherein they form leaves or extensions for base l. I

For supporting the end and rear walls in their horizontal positions, there are provided hinged brackets which are arranged so as to permit of the desired movement of the walls. Each hinge comprises a strap 12 hinged to base 1 as indicated at 13 and a socket 14 hinged at the top edge of the 'm end or vrear wall as indicated at 15 in Fig. 5. Sockets 14 may be formed by bending a dat strip longitudinally as best shown in Fig. 3, the upper end being turned over to form an eye 'which engages a pin to form hinge i5. Straps 12 are oif- 75 set between their ends as indicated at 16 so that when the end and rear walls are in vertical positions the ends of the straps above base l lie straight and parallel with the end and rear walls. When the end and rear walls are moved from vertical to horizontal positions, the ends of the straps 12 slide in sockets 14, their ends striking the bottoms of the sockets when the walls reach horizontal positions, thereby limiting the downward movements. The outer rear `corners of wall 10 85 are provided with spring buttons 17 adapted to enter keyhole sockets 18 in end walls 8 and 9. When the end and rear walls are in folded position as shown in Fig. 2, these spring buttons serve to hold them in such position. In folding the walls, the rear wall 10 is raised to vertical position, after which, the end walls 8 and 9 are raised, the heads of buttons 1'1 ibeing passed through the larger portions of the keyhole sockets 18. Rear wall 10 is then pushed backslightly 95 to bring the buttons 17 into the narrow portions of` keyhole sockets 18, thus fastening the three walls in vertical position as shown in Figs. 1: and 2.

Adapted to t over the end and rear walls when in folded up position as shown in Fig. 2, is a cover 19 comprising a at top 20 which `may be porcelain covered .and a surrounding flange 2l. Flange 21 is provided with corner pieces 22 which engage the top edge of waus s, s and 1o to sup-.105

port thecover. The corner pieces are located so that flange 21 overlaps the walls 8, 9 and 10 by the desired amount, and flange 21 is made of a depth such that top 20 is at the desired height from the floor and also such that the space besupported on base 1. When it is not in use, the

side and end walls are in folded up position and the cover is fitted over them as is shown in Fig. 1. l

By this means, the machine is protected and the enclosure forms a table having ai flat top. When machine is to -be used, top 20 is removed and the end and side walls are turned down to the position shown in Fig. 3, thus exposing the ironing machine or the like for use and at the same time providing extensions for base 1, thus providing additional table room.

The table is simple in structure and easy to unfold and fold up again. The hinges hold the end and rear walls in fixed positions relatively to the base and the braces serve to form a rigid support for the end and rear walls when they are in the unfolded position. l

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A table comprising a base, legs for supporting the base, side and end Walls extending along edges of the base, hinges attaching said walls to the base, said hinges being so located with respect to the walls and base that when the walls are in vertical position they are offset from the outer edge of the base, telescoping brackets for supporting the walls in horizontal position, the

lupper ends of the brackets being attached to the top edges of the walls and the other ends being attcahed to the legs, said brackets being offset intermediate between their ends so that they fit closely against the outside walls of the table when the walls are in vertical position, and a cover which ts over the walls when the walls are in vertical position.

2. A table comprising a base, the front portion of said base being raised to form a recess beneath the base which extends rearwardly from the front edge of the base, whereby there is provided a lapboard, legs for supporting the base, a back wall and side walls extending along edges of the base, said walls being pivotally connected to the base and so located with respect to the base that when the walls are in vertical position, they are inset from the outer edge of the base, telescoping brackets for supporting the walls in a horizontal position, the upper ends of the brackets being attached to the top edges of the walls and the other ends being attached to the legs, said brackets beingoflset to bring each into close proximity with the wall along which it lies when the Walls are in upright position, and a cover which fits over the walls when the walls are in upright position.

' VNOBLE H.: WATTS. 

